MICHAEL Russell tells us that the UK is in the grip of a constitutional crisis (“We will ‘sup with the devil’ to fix Brexit bill, vows SNP”, The Herald, January 30). If he is correct, he will also surely be in agreement that the current policy of the Scottish Government to hold a further referendum on Scottish independence cannot be helping. Indeed, as long as that policy is in place, any reasonable person would be suspicious of his Government’s motives in dealing with Brexit, especially in the light of the First Minister’s past dictum that independence is an aim that transcends everything else – including Brexit.

Nicola Sturgeon was very quick to announce her intentions for a new independence referendum on the morning after the Brexit vote. Indeed, it looked very much like she welcomed the Leave outcome, as she considered it a game-changer in her independence strategy. Since then, however, she has been proven wrong, as support for independence has fallen and the idea of another referendum remains as unpopular as ever.

If the SNP and Mr Russell now wish to play any constructive part in the unfolding Brexit process, I suggest they should put a further proposition to the Scottish Parliament, formally withdrawing the demand for a new referendum. It might also help to include in its wording that the idea is suspended for a generation, although of course this phrase is damaged goods when uttered by Ms Sturgeon.

This would also let the First Minister off the hook of the precipitate decision which has now blown up in her face.

Peter A Russell,

87 Munro Road, Glasgow.

THE Brexit bill is a “power grab” says the SNP. However the SNP cannot cope with the powers it already has, hence its very obvious ongoing struggles with the devolved powers of transport, health, police, education and the economy. The laws it has passed are already being repealed and others are in the process of failing even before reaching the statue book.

A strong UK can conceivably do well outside the EU. An independent Scotland would almost certainly languish, in or out of the EU. The SNP needs to stand back a little here, stop seeing everything as “us versus them” and help the UK achieve a good Brexit. We would all gain from that. Is this too much to hope for?

Dr Gerald Edwards,

Broom Road, Glasgow.

SOMEONE should tell Michael Russell that in order to realise his ambition to sup with the Devil he need only stay at home and use a long spoon.

George Murray,

113 Dundonald Road,

Troon.

NICOLA Sturgeon has put Scotland on high alert with her comment that the country is now at a watershed moment after the latest leak from Westminster confirms the bleak outlook for the UK’s economic future. I expect that the first reaction will be to go for a second independence referendum as soon as possible, but as a Yes voter, I still think that we must take things calmly and in the right mode.

The Scottish Government has played its cards immaculately from the beginning when it made overtures to the EU to be considered separately from the rest of the UK. I think that our dignified approach will stand us in good stead, so let’s keep it that way. I have every confidence that the Scottish Government will go to the country at the right moment. With Westminster as it stands, there might be a coalition formed to try to handle the chaos. Should that happen then there will be another aspect to consider. However, we can`t wait too long for the Tories to admit failure to govern.

Janet Cunningham,

10 The Woodlands,

Stirling.

IT seems inevitable that Britain will agree to the broad principles of the conditions laid down by the EU for Britain to obtain an orderly transitional period from the European Union. These conditions would presumably apply regardless of a “hard” or “soft” Brexit.

Given that the proposed final date of the transition period is December 2020 31, a date almost three years hence, one must ask exactly what our exit from the Union is going to achieve. In effect during this period we will be required to comply with all European Union rules and regulations including those implemented after March 2019 but without the voting rights involved in any new legislation. The very point that so agitated the Captain Mainwaring Brexiters like Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg et al – freedom of movement throughout the union – will be preserved at least until that date and, as seems increasingly possible given a “soft” Brexit, perhaps indefinitely.

Add to this the fact that we will have to pay an exit fee of around £50 billion one must ask just what precisely have we gained by our decision to leave? We could have decided to remain within the European Union, been part of the legislative process, and retained our access to the single market and the customs union and saved ourselves £50 billion in the process; indeed we still can –it’s not too late. Perhaps we should all chip in, hire a bus, paint on the side “Vote for a second referendum and have £50bn extra to fund the NHS” and park it outside Mr Johnson’s house. Unlike his blatant deception, that at least would be true.

We voted on a false prospectus fuelled by the Pied Piper siren songs of Mr Farage and the like, which is why a second referendum on the issue is becoming increasingly imperative. The whole pantomime is a bit like Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang’s child catcher, enticing us all in with goodies and as soon as we’re caught all the trappings fall away. Well we’re not caught yet. Now that we know the true cost to us all of leaving the European Union, that all the Brexit promises of a new and more profitable dawn for us all are as empty as a Conservative Party honesty box, the British public should be given the opportunity to reconsider that decision given the evidence of the size of the hole we now find ourselves in.

Bob Buntin,

G/F1 Morland House,

Longhill,

Skelmorlie.

WE are leaving the top table of the EU where we have representation, votes and a veto to join the American trade area where the only part of the table we will see are the crumbs from our masters and when the US drums of war start playing we will be dancing to the same tune. Poodles again.

Bill Kerr,

56 Sandyknowes Road, Cumbernauld.